Maryann Misiolek has always believed in working hard, staying consistent, and doing what’s right — even when no one’s watching. Raised in Central Pennsylvania by parents who ran a small family business, she learned early that success starts with integrity and effort. After graduating from Lower Dauphin High School in 1995, she attended Lehigh University, earning both a Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering and a Master’s in Management Science by 2000.
Those years shaped her mindset: think logically, act deliberately, and stay humble. In 2001, alongside her husband, Dave, Maryann founded MarDav Enterprises, LLC, a real estate investment and property rehabilitation firm based in Hummelstown, PA. Together, they’ve spent more than two decades transforming neglected houses into homes full of life. “We were doing property rehabilitation long before it was trendy,” she often says.
Her approach combines technical precision with heart — blending data, design, and community care. She believes that improving a property can improve a neighbourhood, and in turn, people’s lives.
When she’s not managing renovations or rental properties, Maryann gives back as Chairperson of the Helping Hands Committee and a Finance Council member at St. Ann Byzantine Catholic Church or helping out at the school during one of the many sporting events her kids are involved in. Her story is about balance — between work and family, ambition and service, and the pursuit of a meaningful, well-lived life.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day starts early — usually before 6 a.m. I like quiet mornings to plan the day. I constantly focus on my schedule to make sure I am able to accomplish what I need to get done in all aspects of my life. I’ll review renovation schedules, check tenant updates, and respond to emails before most people are awake. I have a daily to-do list; writing it down helps me stay accountable. Once I’ve done my morning yoga, short run or workout at the gym, I’m in work mode. Productivity, for me, isn’t about multitasking — it’s about focus. I dedicate blocks of time to one task at a time.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I sketch. Every new property starts as a vision in my head. I’ll draw layouts, jot down what needs changing, and walk through the space multiple times before deciding on anything. I believe ideas come alive through small, deliberate actions — not big bursts of inspiration.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Sustainable and safety-focused home renovation . Reusing materials and improving energy efficiency not only saves money but also makes environmental sense. Ensuring properties are insulated properly, making sure handrails are installed properly, or the electrical system is updated properly.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Planning tomorrow before today ends. I never leave my desk without writing down the next day’s top priorities. It clears my head and keeps me from feeling rushed in the morning.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t wait for the “perfect” moment. I used to think success came after everything was lined up — the right timing, resources, and connections. But the truth is, progress starts when you do. Take the leap, even if it’s messy.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
That doing the work yourself builds better leaders. I’ve painted walls, scrubbed floors, and handled plumbing fixes. I think leaders earn respect by understanding every level of the work — not just managing it.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Consistency. It’s not exciting, but it’s powerful. Whether you’re exercising, saving money, or learning a new skill, small, steady effort wins over quick bursts of motivation.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I step away and go for a run or do some sort of exercise. Movement clears my head. Sometimes my husband and I drive past one of our finished properties — seeing the transformation reminds me why I do this work.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Collaboration. Working with my husband, Dave, who is also an engineer and my sister, Trudy Stewart, who’s a realtor, has been a major advantage. We call ourselves the “Sold Sisters.” Combining her sales insight with my engineering background creates balance — she knows the market, I know the mechanics.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I did a fellow small business owner a favor and rented to one of his employees without doing a full background check. I trusted the colleague, but the rental situation turned into a complete disaster. Our property was destroyed, they caused many disturbances that required police intervention. It took us several months to evict and remove them from our property. We lost several thousand dollars, and the colleague took no responsibility and refused to help us. We eventually got them out of our property, but it was one of the most stressful situations we’ve had since owning our rental properties. Luckily the neighbors of our property, who we have a great relationship with, were very understanding!
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Many properties in need of repair are often repossessed by financial institutions. Oftentimes, you can purchase properties at sheriff sales or by going directly to the financial institution themselves. It is important to do your research, oftentimes using a law firm, on these properties to have a good idea of any liens that may still exist and need to be paid off at the time of purchase. You can get a really good deal on properties in this manner, but you can get burned too, if you do not research them well.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I use Sharefile to document all of our tax information. I have the app on my phone and am able to upload all types of files at any time (pictures of documents, excel spreadsheets, word documents, etc) which saves time come tax season. Doing a little at a time is more reasonable than waiting until the new year and having to try to remember what occurred throughout the year. It makes tax season much more bearable!
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I have reread “10% happier” several times, a book written by American journalist Dan Harris, who had a panic attack on air while hosting Good Morning America. Knowing he had to make a change in his life, he ultimately turned to meditation to calm the voice in his head. While I have never had a true panic attack, I always have so many things going on at once, and so many thoughts at once, that I really relate to Dan Harris’ situation. His book is entertaining as well as helpful and enlightened me to the world of meditation through an informative, engaging read with practical advice.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently watched Oppenheimer, a 2023 thriller about the physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer working on the top-secret Manhattan Project to develop the atomic bomb. I found the story behind the world’s first nuclear explosion to be fascinating and incredibly scary at the same time. It is really unbelievable what a group of the most intelligent minds can create and forever change the course of history.
Key learnings
- Consistency and structure build long-term success more than quick wins.
- Sustainable renovation can strengthen both communities and the environment.
- Collaboration multiplies strengths — great work rarely happens alone.
- Leadership grows from hands-on experience, not just management.
- Planning ahead brings calm, focus, and better decision-making.